Named after the sure-footed Alpine goat, Ibex has embodied rugged adaptability since its founding in 1997. This brand was co-founded by a mountaineer and a sheep farmer in Vermont who set out to prove that natural fibers could outperform synthetics in outdoor apparel. Their solution was Merino wool – the soft, miracle fiber that keeps you warm in winter, cool in summer, and never holds odor. Ibex became a pioneer in merino performance wear, from base layers and socks to refined wool jackets. The idea was to create gear that transitions seamlessly from the mountains to everyday life, much like an ibex moves from craggy peaks to valley meadows. With clean, timeless designs, Ibex apparel offers technical function for hiking or skiing, yet enough style for your favorite coffee shop. After a brief hiatus in 2018, the company relaunched with renewed energy, continuing its legacy of quality and innovation in wool. If you’ve ever worn one of their Woolies base layers or bouclé merino jackets, you know the unmatched comfort and versatility that Ibex brings to the table.
Sustainability is woven into Ibex’s DNA as tightly as the fibers in their fabrics. Merino wool itself is a renewable, biodegradable material, and Ibex takes extra steps to keep their products planet-friendly. They use non-mulesed wool sourced from ethical farms and only work with bluesign®-approved and OEKO-TEX® certified dyes to ensure no harmful chemicals make it into the environment. The company also switched to compostable or minimal packaging and actively works to measure and offset its carbon footprint. In the mountain town of Nederland, Colorado, where Ibex’s new team is based, there’s a culture of making things that last – and Ibex exemplifies that by designing clothes meant to be repaired and passed down, not tossed out. Their wool apparel is naturally durable and they even offer guidance on care and mending, encouraging a longer life for each garment. By combining old-school virtues (like sustainable materials and repairability) with modern performance tech, Ibex has created an outdoor clothing brand that respects the animal (and people) that provide its wool and the wild places we explore. When you wear Ibex, you’re not just wearing an incredibly functional piece of gear – you’re supporting a cleaner, more conscientious way of making clothing. Each cozy layer carries forward the brand’s original vision: gear that’s born from nature, built for adventure, and made to last.
